Local News

Final prep underway for TNR clinic

Tame cats welcome by appointment

Organizers of a clinic aimed at curbing Sterling's feral cat population are in the final stages of preparation for this weekend's event.

The TNR (trap, neuter and release) clinic begins Friday as volunteers will be trapping cats in several "major" areas for feral cats, according to Leslie Vogt of the Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals.

The non-profit organization, based in Fort Collins, is putting on the clinic and has been working with animal control officials to identify feeders, residents who put out food for the feral cats, and is asking that they do not put out food Friday and Saturday to help ensure that the trapping is a success.

Vogt said the volunteers will go out Friday evening to set the traps, then collect the trapped cats and return them to the clinic location. The volunteers stay with the traps, she noted. The cats are left in the traps for the night; they are checked in, then will be treated in the morning. They are only handled while under anesthesia, then returned to the traps for recovery. Vogt said they could use more trappers Saturday evening for the Sunday clinic.

The feral cats will be neutered and vaccinated against rabies, and released in the same location where they were trapped.

Vogt said tame cats are also welcome at the clinic by appointment. They can be neutered for a $20 donation, and the organization will provide rabies shots at no charge. So far, she said she has 50 tame cats scheduled. Make an appointment before Friday by calling Vogt at 970-224-1467.

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Altogether, Vogt said she is hoping to treat 250-300 cats during the two days.

The clinic is being held in the former Ertle Bros. Discount Auto dealership at 807 W. Broadway St.; the space was donated by Ron and Alexes Ertle and is being cleaned by volunteers this week in advance of the clinic.

Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals is funded by donations and grants; anyone wishing to make a tax-deductible donation to support the effort should make checks payable to: Northern Colorado Friends of Ferals. Contributions can be dropped off during the clinic or mailed to: NCFF, 4820 Eagle Lake Dr., Fort Collins, CO 80521.

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